Children's home run by Duty of Care Limited in County Durham

Assurance visit report: SC476602 1 SC476602

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is operated and managed by a private provider. It provides care and accommodation for three children and/or young person who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The manager is suitably qualified and was registered in September 2019.

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection date: 16 October 2019

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Information about this visit

Due to COVID-19 (coronavirus), Ofsted suspended all routine inspections in March 2020. As part of a phased return to routine inspection, we are undertaking assurance visits to children’s social care services that are inspected under the social care common inspection framework (SCCIF).

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Information about this visit

At these visits, inspectors evaluate the extent to which:

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Information about this visit

 children are well cared for  children are safe  leaders and managers are exercising strong leadership. This visit was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000, following the published guidance for assurance visits.

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Information about this visit

Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills is leading Ofsted’s work into how England’s social care system has delivered child-centred practice and care within the context of the restrictions placed on society during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Findings from the visit

We identified the following serious concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance visit: Assurance visit report: SC476602 2  Incidents of restraint are high  Living conditions in a child’s bedroom are of a poor standard  Staff training is not up to date  The manager has failed to ensure effective monitoring of the home conditions.

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The care of children

Children’s experiences of living in this home are mixed. The condition of one child’s bedroom is poor. There are no pictures, books, or toys in the room. Damaged furniture is not replaced. The space is empty, except for a shelf and a bed, which is nailed to the floor. There are no curtains or blinds, so no privacy for the child. There is no evidence in care plans to address this. The manager did not take effective action. Living in these conditions can have a detrimental impact on how children feel, affecting their view of themselves and their world.

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The care of children

Possessions belonging to children are not organised or easily accessible. Some toys were kept in a carrier bag in the lounge. Other possessions were locked in a staff bedroom. This prevents children enjoying their belongings and taking ownership of them.

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The care of children

Some children are making progress. One child commented that they are proud of the progress they are making, and they feel positive about the future. The staff are supporting children to start and develop independence skills. For example, undertaking opportunities to spend time with friends in the community unsupervised. This helps prepare them for adulthood

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The care of children

Staff supported children to learn when the schools closed due to COVID-19. Children received laptops and school learning packs. Staff found creative ways to encourage children when they did not want to engage. This means that children had some structure to their day and continued to learn. When children worried about going back to school, staff provided reassurance and helped the children to prepare. This meant that the children settled back into school and could focus on their education.

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The care of children

Staff encourage children to take part in exercise and to explore the outdoors. The restrictions put in place as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic affected children taking part in their hobbies such as horse riding and BMX club. Staff provided other activities at home for example, water games and walking. When clubs re-opened, staff supported the children to return and take part. This meant that the children spent time having fun and continued to follow their interests.

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The care of children

Children receive help to engage with other professionals and services. Social workers, school and the independent visitor gave positive feedback about the care of children. Staff and the manager share relevant information with other agencies and contribute to meetings. They will advocate for children to receive extra services. An example of this is ensuring children receive support from child and adolescent Assurance visit report: SC476602 3 mental health services (CAMHS). However, when children experience delays in accessing extra help, the manager does not continue to challenge agencies. This means that the children wait too long for support.

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The care of children

Some children are not helped to understand their life story and why they live in the home. The manager has not ensured that the children receive the relevant information, appropriate to their age and understanding.

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The safety of children

Behaviour supports plans are good and detail the complex needs of children. However, incidents of restraint are high. Plans do not reflect how this practice is challenged or adapted to ensure the need for such intervention is reduced. Children are not supported to develop and practice the skills that they need to manage their feelings in a positive way. They become reliant on staff to use restraint as the only way to help them when they are in crisis. Other children witness their peers being restrained. This impacts upon their day-to-day life.

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The safety of children

When children make allegations against staff who work in the home, action is taken to keep children safe. The manager ensures that the correct procedure is followed, and that relevant agencies are informed. Investigations take place and records are kept so evaluation of incidents is thorough.

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The safety of children

Risk assessments are up to date. They are clear and help staff to understand children’s vulnerabilities and what risks they pose to each other. When children displayed self-harm behaviour, the manager and staff responded effectively to reduce the risks

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Leaders and managers

The manager has failed to ensure that there is effective monitoring of the home conditions. The inspector found poor housekeeping in some rooms, for example dust on furniture and insects in the shower tray.

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Leaders and managers

The staff are committed to caring for the children and work together as a team, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff say they feel supported by their manager to care for children. Senior management have recognised the efforts of staff and provided them with rewards. This helps staff feel valued.

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Leaders and managers

Staff shortages mean that the staff have worked a lot of overtime which has placed extra pressure on them. The manager understands the potential impact that this has on the care provided to children. She has tried to fill vacancies, but recruitment has been difficult during COVID-19.

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Leaders and managers

Staff receive supervision however sometimes these sessions are re-arranged or cancelled. This impacts on the time that staff and the manager have to discuss practice related issues. The manager has recognised this and made plans to Assurance visit report: SC476602 4 delegate duties to other senior staff. This will help the manager to focus her time and check the quality of care provided to children.

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Leaders and managers

Staff training is not up to date. Some staff are not trained in the organisation’s preferred practice model. The staff have not completed the full mandatory training programme. For example, they have not completed child criminal exploitation training, despite one child being at high risk from this type of harm. This means that staff are not meeting the full range of children’s needs.

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who — understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children; In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to— ensure that staff— protect and promote each child’s welfare; provide to children living in the home the physical necessities they need in order to live there comfortably; ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to— meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 6 (1)(2)(b)(ii)(v)(vii)(c)(i))* 29 November

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Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that — helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and promotes their welfare. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to — ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child; understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each 29 November Assurance visit report: SC476602 5 child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home; (Regulation 13(1)(2)(c)(f))* Restraint in relation to a child is only permitted for the purpose of preventing — injury to any person (including the child); serious damage to the property of any person (including the child). Restraint in relation to a child must be necessary and

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Requirement Due date

proportionate. (Regulation 20 (a)(b)(2))*. 29 November

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Requirement Due date

*These requirements are subject to a compliance notice.

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Duty of Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 13 Front Street, Staindrop, Darlington, County Durham DL2 3LZ

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Inspector

Catherine Heron, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: SC476602 6 to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children’s social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children's services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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